In order to be eligible for the degree of Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School, a student MUST complete each of the following requirements.
Please note: This checklist is intended as a summary and is accurate for most students -- but in some cases, exceptions or special circumstances apply. Your definitive source is the Student Handbook, and if you have any questions, please contact the Office of the Registrar via email at registrar@lls.edu or by calling (213) 736-1130 for assistance.
— I have completed the Required Course List with a grade of C or higher.
— I have completed the Upper Division Writing Requirement.
— I have completed at least 6 units of experiential courses for the Experiential Course Requirement.
— I have completed my 40 hours of Pro Bono legal services.
- Contact the Public Interest Law Department for more information.
— I have completed at least 87 units.
- At least 58 units must be completed at Loyola Law School, keeping within the maximum number of units permitted for pass/fail elections, externships, and directed research (see the Pass/Fail Elections and Directed Research sections in the JD Handbook).
— My GPA is at or above 2.33.
- To check your GPA, log in to your PROWL account.
— I have satisfied the Residence Requirement.
- Day students must complete six full-time semesters.
- Evening students must complete at least eight part-time semesters.
- Evening Students participating in the 3.5 Program should consult their program acceptance letter and the JD Handbook for their requirements
- Summer terms do not count toward the residency requirement.
- Transfer students should consult their admittance letter and the JD Handbook for their requirements.
— I will complete all my degree requirements before the expiration of the Five-Year Rule.
- For example, if I started law school in August of 2022 + 5 = 2027 -- the Five-Year rule expires at the end of Summer 2027.
- For transfer students, "started" means the year in which you began your law degree at your prior school.
— I am participating in the Academic Success Program. (Reference should be made to the section on Academic Success Program, 3.13 (page 18) or online by using the JD Student Handbook.
- I have completed the following requirements:
- Take and pass at least six of the electives listed as "Courses Related to Subjects Tested on the California Bar" on the Registrar's website at http://lls.edu/site/officeoftheregistrar/registrationcourseinformation/barcourses/;
- take and pass one course that has a substantial drafting component such as Appellate Advocacy or Legal Drafting. Any other drafting course must be approved by the Academic Success Program director. Note: While most classes that satisfy the upper division writing requirement will involve substantial drafting, Law Review is not a course and does not meet this requirement; and
- take and pass the Fundamentals of Examination Writing.
— I do not have an outstanding balance on my Student Account.
— I have completed a Financial Aid Exit Interview.
- Financial Aid Entrance/Exit Interviews
- More Financial Aid Office Information
— I have completed a Graduate Employment Survey and (if required) a Graduate Appointment with the Career Development Office.
- The Career Development Office will email each graduating student a link to complete the Graduate Employment Survey. If you do not receive this email, please follow up with Career Development by emailing careerdevelopment@lls.edu or calling (213) 736-1150.
- Students who have not yet secured long-term, post-graduate employment must also schedule a brief Graduate Appointment with their career counselor. Students may schedule the appointment via 12Twenty (https://lls.edu/12twenty) or by calling the Career Development Office at (213) 736-1150.
— I have been properly admitted to the Law School.
- Willful and material misrepresentation or nondisclosure concerning qualifications for admission to the Law School are sufficient grounds for denial or revocation of the Juris Doctor degree.
— I have notified the Office of the Registrar of any arrests, legal proceedings, bankruptcies, or other updates to my administrative files that may reflect on my moral character.
— I have NOT already taken a bar exam (in any jurisdiction) prior to graduating from Loyola Law School.
- Any student who takes a bar examination before satisfactorily completing all graduation requirements for the Juris Doctor degree will not be permitted to graduate from Loyola Law School.